Our foundation convened leading figures from diplomacy, academia, and civil society at a consultation iftar held at Türkevi in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
The closed-door session, titled “Faith, Justice and Moral Leadership: Reimagining Muslim Civil Society,” created a rich platform for dialogue on the role of Muslim civil society in responding to global crises, the meaning of ethical leadership, and the transformative impact of women in society.
“Civil society must go beyond reacting to crises”
The program opened with remarks by our Board Member, Dr. Zeynep Temizer Atalar, who underscored the need to rethink the role of civil society in today’s world:
“Civil society must not be confined to reacting to crises. It should also help shape social norms, strengthen a sense of responsibility, and serve as a moral bridge between the public and society.”
She further emphasized that Muslim civil society organizations have the potential to move beyond humanitarian response and become norm-setting actors—contributing to principled governance, social solidarity, and global justice.
Bringing diplomacy, academia, and civil society together
Opening remarks were also delivered by Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations, and Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations. Both speakers highlighted the vital role faith-based civil society can play in addressing global challenges and stressed the importance of international cooperation.
The iftar brought together diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders from across different countries. Participants included representatives from institutions such as the Diyanet Center of America, Maarif Foundation USA, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), Family Watch International, PAL-Awda, Black Muslims Now, Masjid At-Taqwa Brooklyn, City College of New York, and Long Island University, along with social media content creators. Our Deputy Directors General, journalist Semanur Sönmez Yaman and Dr. Betül Özel Çiçek, also took part in the consultation.
Consultation in the spirit of Ramadan
Participants broke their fast together at iftar, followed by the evening prayer. The program then continued with an open consultation session moderated by our Board Member, Dr. Zeynep Feyza Eker Ayhan.
Bringing together voices from diplomacy, academia, and civil society, the session focused on strengthening cooperation among Muslim civil society organizations, advancing ethical leadership, and enhancing the role of women in civil society.
Focus on Gaza and global justice
Speakers drew particular attention to the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially its impact on women and children, and called for stronger global solidarity.
“No society can achieve freedom in isolation. Justice becomes possible only through the solidarity of women and men—and ultimately, of societies.”
The session placed special emphasis on women’s leadership, highlighting that Muslim women are not only key actors in social solidarity networks but also transformative leaders across civil society, education, diplomacy, and public policy.
Basira Rahim, President of Shahada Inc., noted the historical roots of Muslim civil society in the United States:
“The foundations of Muslim civil society in this country were laid by African American Muslims and indigenous communities. Without understanding this history, we cannot fully understand the present.”
Nadira Gandhi, founder and director of Cornerstone, emphasized the often-unseen burden borne by women in times of war and crisis:
“Women carry the heaviest burdens in times of conflict, yet they are also at the heart of the resilience that rebuilds societies.”
Majida Farrell of Masjid al-Taqwa in Brooklyn highlighted the need for stronger connections within Muslim communities:
“We have a global network, but it is not yet truly connected. We need stronger communication between mosques and communities.”
Sahar Ali, founder and executive director of Black Muslims Now, pointed to the invisibility experienced by African American Muslims within the broader Muslim community:
“If we are to build genuine solidarity, we must confront historical inequalities and bring forward the stories that have long remained unseen.”
Awa Bob, executive director of Africana, stressed that solidarity must be reflected in action:
“Gatherings like this create vital opportunities for communities to connect, understand one another, and act together.”
Christy Rocco, Vice President of Business Development at The Above Group, highlighted the underrepresentation of Muslim women in corporate spaces:
“We see very few Muslim women leaders in New York’s corporate world. Stronger professional networks are essential.”
Expanding a global Muslim civil society network
Through its programs in New York, our foundation continues to bring together women leaders and civil society actors working in the field of women’s empowerment. Over the past three years, it has also organized meetings and solidarity initiatives for Muslim communities, with a particular focus on the participation of Palestinian civil society representatives.
This consultation iftar marked another important step toward fostering stronger global dialogue and cooperation among Muslim civil society organizations.
As KADEM, through our work on international platforms, we remain committed not only to advancing women’s empowerment but also to strengthening the visibility of faith-based ethical values in global governance and civil society.
